ORGANIZE

Click the button below if you have read this page and are ready to enter your items and print your tags.

IMPORTANT: The deadline to enter all of your items into inventory for the upcoming Fall / Winter 2010 Sale is
11:59 pm ~ Sunday, September 26th, 2010
 You can still print your tags after this date but
you can not enter additional items into inventory.

Materials Needed Suggestions regarding pricing Making your items look their best Tagging Instructions

MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED TO BEGIN TAGGING:

• 90 lb white card stock
• Scissors
• Tagging Gun (optional)
• Hangers (Wire hangers mandatory starting Spring 2011)
• Safety Pins (medium & large)
• Cable Ties (some Dollar Stores carry them)
• Hole Punch
• Clear packing tape
• Scotch tape
• Masking tape
• Gallon size plastic bags
• Permanent marker
• Camera (if selling large unassembled furniture)
• Iron (to press clothes)
• Rubber bands (to group sizes for drop off)

Gather all of these materials and the items you plan to consign in the same room with your home computer. This will expedite the process.

Log in using the ITEM ENTRY & TAG PRINTING LINK
your consignor number and password. Begin entering the items into the Best Dressed for Less online inventory / tagging system. The system is simple to use – and doesn’t require extensive computer knowledge. It is as simple as filling in the blank fields for each item you would like to consign.

YOUR PRINTED / COMPLETED TAG WILL LOOK LIKE THIS >>>

After you have entered your items, print your tags using at least 90 lb white cardstock. Be sure your printer has sufficient ink to print clear, high quality bar codes. If your printer is low on ink, the barcodes will not scan correctly at check out. In addition, using a lower weight cardstock creates tags that will not last the duration of the sale.  Please also remember:

Don't print too dark - it is better to print a little light than too dark. Don't print on the "High Quality" setting, print on the normal setting. This is especially true for inkjet printers. Some cardstock papers can "soak up" the ink when it is sprayed too dark, causing the edges of the barcode to be fuzzy and not scan. The edges of a barcode need to be crisp.

Align your print cartridges - printer cartridges in inkjet printers can get out of alignment, especially when you change cartridges. This can cause the edge of the barcode not to be clean and straight. There should be a utility that came with your printer software that allows you to align the print cartridges.

Don't use designer cardstock - Designer cardstock that is "fiberous" can soak up ink from an inkjet and cause the edges of a barcode to be fuzzy. Use a standard dense cardstock. Avoid carstock with a "slick" surface, as it can cause ink to smudge.

We know that ink jet printers are often the reason tags do not scan - if at all possible try to print your tags on a laser printer.  If you are concerned about your tags not scanning please contact kris@bestdressedsale.com

SOME SUGGESTIONS REGARDING PRICING
• This guide will give you tips for pricing items so that you are putting dollars in your pocket and not taking your items back home. You are absolutely free to price your items as you see best, but here are a few things to keep in mind when considering your pricing:

• Do NOT price anything less than $2. If the value of one item is not at least $2, you should group several items together.  This will make checkout easier and will also mean less time entering data and tagging items.

• If you want to discount your items 50% for the last day of sale, just check the appropriate box when creating your bar coded tags.

• Price your items as if you were the buyer and not the seller. Ask yourself, "How much would I pay for this?"

• Package similar items together for quicker sale. For example, match a top with a bottom, similar theme/age books or movies, smaller toys or action figures, etc.

• Sign up to work one shift and receive 65% of your price. This will give you a higher profit on each item.

• Clothing is best priced at 25%-35% of the retail price. Below are some suggested price points for different categories of clothing. You should keep in mind the brand/label of your clothing and price accordingly. Consider grouping your clothing into 2 categories—Standard labels and Premium labels to help with pricing.

Some examples of Standard and Premium labels are:

Standard - Faded Glory, Carters, Circo, Healthtex, Osh Kosh, Sonoma, Simply Basic, Kid Connection, Lee, Levi, Old Navy, The Children’s Place …..
Premium - Gymboree, Baby Gap, Limited Too, Justice for Girls, Baby Lulu, , Le Top, Mulberribush, Hartstrings, Flapdoodles, Talbot’s Kids, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Nike, Hanna Andersson, Ralph Lauren, Lacoste….
Consider this a great opportunity to clean out closets and kids’ rooms. Do not let your time and energy go to waste by not selling everything you put in the sale. Price your items to sell!!!

Here's a breakdown of how gently used items would typically be priced:

High Demand Toys can sell for 1/3-1/2 of retail: Any Little Tykes or Step 2 items, playhouses, kitchens, tool benches, and doll houses sell really well.

New With Tags – If you have items that are “new with tags”, you will want to price them higher.

This pricing guide is only a suggestion. You have 100% control when determining the price of your items. If there are any items that you feel unsure on how to price, please contact us at kris@bestdressedsale.com . We are happy to help assist you in selling ALL your items!!!

MAKING YOUR ITEMS LOOK THEIR BEST
Best Dressed for Less is committed to consigning high-quality gently used merchandise. Because we guarantee QUALITY merchandise to our shoppers, they are more likely to come and purchase your items and return to future sales. This is a VERY important detail that differentiates Best Dressed for Less from yard sales and flea markets. We have put together the following tips to help your items be more appealing to shoppers. This is well worth the effort and time you will invest.

Clothing
Please wash all clothing and make sure they are free from stains. Make your items look their best by ironing, buttoning, zipping, and snapping as required. Clothing items will be more appealing to shoppers if they're pressed.  During item entry be sure to use VERY SPECIFIC descriptions of each piece in a set.  Use both lines if necessary.

Toys and Equipment
Clean by wiping away dirt and stains with your preferred household cleaner. Cotton swabs work well for getting dirt out of small crevices and magic erasers work wonders on plastic items. Install working batteries so buyers can see that the item is in working order (purchase low cost batteries at Dollar Stores). Place small parts (i.e. people, balls, blocks, play food, etc.) in clear plastic bags and securely attach them to the item. Packing tape works really well and discourages children from playing with them! Baby equipment must be assembled by the consignor at the time of drop off.

It may be worth your effort to purchase replacement parts for certain items to make them acceptable to Best Dressed for Less. These numbers may be helpful:

800 Numbers to order parts:
Little Tikes - 1(800) 321-0183
Power Wheels - 1(800) 348-0751
Fisher Price - 1(800) 432-5437
Hasbro/ PlaySkool - 1(800) 752-9755

Original Packaging
If possible, package items in original packaging and include manuals and instructions if you have them. Place instructions on a clear plastic bag and tape to item with packing tape if you do not have the original packaging.

Games and Puzzles
Tape boxes closed with scotch tape so pieces are not lost at the sale. Put puzzles with no boxes in large zipper bags and seal with packing tape or wrap securely in clear plastic wrap and seal with packing tape.

Videos, DVDs, CDs and Books
When grouping together more than one item, please put them in clear plastic bags. Use only ONE tag per grouping, and try to fit all titles on the tag (abbreviate as necessary).

Furniture 
Due to recent CPSC recalls we are no longer accepting cribs.  Any furniture with multiple pieces must be clearly labeled with consignor number and 1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3, etc. using masking tape on each piece. Remember to securely attach all hardware, screws etc in a sealed plastic bag. IMPORTANT!!! YOU MUST INCLUDE PICTURES OF THE ASSEMBLED ITEM FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT ANGLES, CLEARLY DISPLAYED. This is necessary because large furniture items will remain unassembled on the sales floor to conserve space. Including photos will help you sell the item. Leaving it unassembled will save you the time needed to assemble the item during drop off, and save the buyer hassle when having to take it home.

If you are not sure whether Best Dressed for Less will accept an item you plan to consign, please refer to Items Accepted list.

Please Note: As a consignor YOU are responsible for checking for recalled items. Remember, you are selling your items to other families....

If in doubt, here is the link for recalls:
www.cpsc.gov

TAGGING INSTRUCTIONS
All of your items MUST have a bar coded tag that was created using our software. High quality tags are crucial to an efficient check out, effective inventory and accurate earnings. Please make sure you tag clearly and according to the process described.

Attaching Tags To Items

Attach tags to items securely using a tagging gun, medium size safety pins and/or tape.

You may purchase an inexpensive, but good quality tagging gun to easily attach your tags to clothing by clicking the box on the right.


These types of tagging guns typically retail for $35.00 or more. Through our supplier you can buy a tagging gun, needle and 1000 barbs for $7.99 including shipping. The supplier accepts PayPal payments, and your purchase should arrive in 6-14 days.  Buy one and share it with your friends.

Hanging Clothing
Please hang clothing and prepare non-clothing items as described and shown below:

Consignors MAY still bring their clothing items to the Fall 2010 sale on plastic or tubular hangers (one final time).

Position the hanger like a question mark (?) with the hook opening on the left side if you’re looking at the front of the garment. Adult sized wire hangers can easily be bent to fit even the smallest infant clothing (by squeezing the tips of the hanger together and bending down if necessary. 

Two Piece Outfits
Two piece outfits can be hung on one wire hanger using safety pins (larger pins are easier) to attach the pants on the top of the hanger (not on the bottom bar).  Tops should be placed on the hanger and pants should be hung on the outside of the top so they can be easily seen (not inside the top).  If consigning a multiple piece outfit please pin all pieces together with safety pins to lessen the likelihood if them being separated.  Please do not pin pants to tops as they could tear the top.  If possible attach the clothing items to the hanger with safety pins so they don't fall off.   Please use only ONE tag on these items. Describe both parts on the tag so they can be matched if they are separated. This happens!

Pants Only:
Pants should be attached to the top of the wire hangers with large safety pins (see photo).

Attach tags to the garment’s left front, toward the top if possible (as pictured) using safety pins, cable ties or your tagging gun. Be very careful where pins are placed. You do not want to damage the garment. If using a tagging gun DO NOT tag directly through the garment as you will ruin it and make a visible hole.  It is always safest to tag though the label at the neck of the garment if there is one - otherwise you should attach the tag in the seam under the arm. Cable ties can be placed through button holes.

If you need wire hangers, many dry cleaners have recycle boxes in their shops and will give you used wire hangers for FREE.  Wal-Mart stores and some dollar stores also sell inexpensive bundles of children’s sized wire hangers.  If you wish to purchase wire hangers through BDFL- we will have a limited supply of 100 hanger bundles available for $5.00 each.  Simply contact colleen@bestdressedsale.com to place a request. 

Size
Use the most descriptive size you can on your tags (i.e. 6-12 months, 2T, etc.). Children’s clothing labeled small, medium, and large is vague and difficult for people to interpret.

Below is a conversion of European sizing to American sizing:

SHOES
Make sure shoes are attached together with a cable tie, strong string or sealed in a clear plastic bag. After putting a piece of packing tape on the corner and punching a hole, attach the tag to shoes with a cable tie or pin (or include the tag inside the plastic bag). Also, please write your consignor number and the price on a piece of masking tape and secure to the bottom of each shoe in case they are separated.

TOYS and EQUIPMENT
Attach the tag with clear packing tape to a flat surface or use a cable tie in a prominent place on the item. Be sure to reinforce the tag with a small piece of clear packing tape on the corner before punching a hole for the cable tie.

ORIGINAL PACKAGING
Be sure to securely tape the tag to the box or plastic packaging in a place that is clearly visible.

GAMES and PUZZLES
Attach the tag with scotch tape to the underside of boxes that have a picture on the front, or choose another location on the box to ensure the least damage when the tag is removed. Use packing tape to attach tags to items in clear plastic bags. Large wooden puzzles too big for plastic bags can be held together with plastic wrap.

VIDEOS, DVDs, CDs AND BOOKS
Use scotch tape to secure tags to single videos, DVDs, CDs and books. Packing tape is nearly impossible to remove without damage. Any items in plastic bags should have packing tape to secure the tag (or put tag inside bag).

FURNITURE
Secure the tag in a highly visible location on item 1 of x (x being the total number of pieces). Use packing tape if it will not cause damage. Otherwise use a cable tie after reinforcing the corner of the tag with packing tape. Be sure you have identified each piece of the item with your consignor number and 1 of X on each to ensure that no parts are lost. Don’t forget to include photos of the assembled item in plastic bag.